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From: thielges@uiuccsb.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: The Case for Clunkers - (nf)
Message-ID: <6586@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 3-Apr-84 22:45:06 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.6586
Posted: Tue Apr  3 22:45:06 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 7-Apr-84 01:36:07 EST
Lines: 38

#N:uiuccsb:16200012:000:1951
uiuccsb!thielges    Apr  3 16:37:00 1984

After the 10 speed bike that I used to ride around town was stolen,  I 
decided to look for a less stealable alternative to buying a new 10
speed bike to replace the stolen.  At a police auction, I found an
old decrepit 3 speed clunker that I was sure that no one else would ever
think of taking.  To my surprise, the clunker was a better buy than I 
had ever expected.  The advantages of a clunker bike I have observed so
far are :
	1.  They are better suited for short trip city riding.  You ride
		uppright and mounting and dismounting is easier.
	2.  They are cheap.  I think this is because they are less "fashionable"
		and therefore, there is not a high demand for them.
	3.  They are rugged.  The 3 speed mechanism is totally enclosed in
		the rear hub and rarely fails.  Almost nothing besides a flat
		can go wrong with a 1 speed wheel.
	4.  Parts are easy to find, especially if you live in a town where
		hundreds of abandonded bikes laying around town can be
		savalged.
	5.  Clunkers ride well over rough streets.  They are a cheap substitute
		to the now popular mountain bikes.
	6.  They are already ugly so you don't have to worry about scratching
		the finish.  As a result, you'll use your clunker more often.

After riding my clunker for a few weeks, I realized that I had two distinctly
different needs for bicycle transportation : short distance commuting and long
distance touring.  To serve those two different needs, one bike just can't do
the job as well as a two bike combination.  I use my clunker for city travel
and my 10 speed for touring (A few weeks after it was stolen, I was able to
reclaim it when I caught the thief with it elsewhere)

I would urge those of you who ride $200+ sport/touring to work/school every
day to consider obtaining a clunker.  If you look hard enough, you probably
can find one for free from a friend who has an unused 3 speed in his/her
garage.
				Bart Thielges
				...uiucdcs!thielges